Opinions on new Ruger Ranch Rifle?

I've already done a search on the new Mini 14 Ranch Rifle but haven't read many opinions from owners of the new rifles. Anyone out there have one yet? How does it compare with the "old" model? Is the new model an improvement? How is the accuracy? Any remarks on comparison between the new and old models appreciated.

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DougCxx

March 15, 2005, 06:54 PM

Are they delivering yet? Ruger is famous for announcing new guns that "will be available immediately sometime in the next couple of years....."
~

Bigfoot

March 15, 2005, 07:45 PM

Here's two reviews that I've seen. With the new tooling the tolerances might be closer so it may be a bit more accurate, same whippy barrel though.

http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14530

http://www.perfectunion.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14410

texagun

March 15, 2005, 08:13 PM

DougCxx wrote: "Are they delivering yet? Ruger is famous for announcing new guns that "will be available immediately sometime in the next couple of years....."

Yes they are. I've seen them at the Dallas gun shows the last couple of months. $529 for the new models....$429 for the old models. Just wondering if they are worth the extra $100. :confused:

swingset

March 16, 2005, 02:25 AM

Without changing the barrel length or diameter, they're wasting their time. Same problems will persist until someone at Ruger looks up "Barrel Harmonics" in a reference book.

jobu07

March 16, 2005, 09:19 AM

The second link provided an interesting read about info from Ruger engineers. Sounds like they turned it into a nice 3 moa carbine out of the box. Sounds like it's worth some extra bucks if you like mini's. I'll gladly trade my old one in on a new one.

Omaha-BeenGlockin

March 16, 2005, 12:20 PM

I've handled the new one and didn't like it at all-----the rear sight seems hard to adjust and the ears on the front sight are distracting. Just not a good front sight like on a military rifle.

With the new rear sight---I'm not sure how well a scope will fit in the mount system.

Currently no muzzle devices for the new model either.

I've just picked up a new std model for the only reason that they are discontinued---and I like the rear sight much better. Now I have 2 Mini's.
Also--my new std Mini is an All-Weather version-----so it has the same stock as the "New" Mini.

Onslaught

March 16, 2005, 01:38 PM

I wanna hear when somebody gets their hands on a "new" mini-30. The old '30 I had would literally do "paper plate" groups even with a scope.

I've fired Mini-14's that would group in the 3" - 4" range, so I always considered them more accurate anyways...

brickboy240

March 16, 2005, 02:47 PM

Ugh...stay away...they're awful!

-brickboy240

kaferhaus

March 16, 2005, 03:00 PM

Saw one at the range last Saturday. poor fellow shot a couple hundred rounds of various factory and surplus ammo through it.... the good news is the surplus shoots just as good as the much more expensive commercial ammo....

The bad news.... all of it shot poorly. Pie plate groups at 100M and that was before the barrel got hot.

young fellow left pretty disgusted

Werewolf

March 16, 2005, 03:06 PM

Without changing the barrel length or diameter, they're wasting their time. Same problems will persist until someone at Ruger looks up "Barrel Harmonics" in a reference book. :rolleyes: That'll be the day. Ruger engineers (lower case 'e' on purpose) don't even understand an engineering concept as simple as tolerance stack. Barrel Harmonics is way too advanced for them.

homeka45

March 16, 2005, 03:47 PM

Let's hope those same engineers didn't render all the old hi-cap factory mags incompatible too.

flyerI

March 16, 2005, 05:49 PM

I bought a new one six weeks ago. SS with syn stock. I have had the opportunity to shoot it on one occasion and I have no problems with the sights. I forgot to take targets with me so all I had to shoot was a 4x6 piece of paper tacked to a log. I had no problem hitting the paper with most of the rounds from about 40 yards. I have added a Nikon scope and am anxious to go try again. All together I am happy with the purchase.

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